The first busload of New Orleans refugees to reach the Reliant Astrodome overnight was a group of people who commandeered a school bus in the city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and drove to Houston looking for shelter.

Jabbar Gibson, 20, said police in New Orleans told him and others to take the school bus and try to get out of the flooded city.

§67. TheftA. Theft is the misappropriation or taking of anything of value which belongs to another, either without the consent of the other to the misappropriation or taking, or by means of fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations. An intent to deprive the other permanently of whatever may be the subject of the misappropriation or taking is essential.B.(1) Whoever commits the crime of theft when the misappropriation or taking amounts to a value of five hundred dollars or more shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than ten years, or may be fined not more than three thousand dollars, or both.

It does appear that if they got nasty, they could charge him with possession of a stolen vehicle, if they can prove he knew it was "unlawfully taken." I'd argue under these circumstances that the mens rea is absent.

§724. Transfer and possession of stolen vehiclesAny person who, with intent to procure or pass title to a vehicle which he knows or has reason to believe has been stolen or unlawfully taken, received, or transfers possession of the same from one to another, or who has in his possession any vehicle which he knows or has reason to believe has been stolen or unlawfully taken, and who is not an officer of the law engaged at the time in the performance of his duty as such officer, is guilty of a felony. Acts 1950, No. 342, §27.

(Odd things you learn with legal research: Louisiana has a specific statute covering theft of an alligator. I guess general statutes just wouldn't do for that one.)

We are very grateful to be alive and happy that we got out. However, we are shocked, and deeply saddened by everything that is happening in New Orleans. We only lived there for 6 years, but feel very connected. We miss our many brave friends going through all of this, too. We hope to find out the status of our house soon.

I cannot tell you how touched we have been by people's generosity. A complete stranger paid for our hotel room in Wichita, KS. We did not even know that they paid until after they were gone. Many others have donated clothes and toys for the girls. Anyways, please keep in touch and I will let you all know where we are headed.